Hurriyat to visit PoK in November

Welcoming the India-Pakistan decision to facilitate free movement of relief workers across the Line of Control, the moderate faction of Hurriyat Conference on Monday said two delegations of the amalgam will visit Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in November to provide relief to quake-hit people.

Two Hurriyat delegations will visit PoK in the second or third week of November to extend a helping hand to the victims of the earthquake, Hurriyat Chairman Mirwaiz Umer Farooq told reporters. He had just concluded a joint meeting of the amalgam's executive committee, general council and working committee in Srinagar.

"I will lead one delegation from Uri, while executive member Bilal Gani Lone will head another delegation from Tangdhar," he said.

Observing that opening of five points is the 'beginning of melting' of ceasefire line, he said making the Line of Control irrelevant by allowing Kashmiris from either side to travel freely would help in the resolution of the Kashmir issue.

India and Pakistan have agreed to open five points along the LoC for people to cross and ferry relief materials for earthquake victims from November 7. The points to be opened are Nauseri-Tithwal, Chakoti-Uri, Hajipir-Uri, Rawalakot-Poonch and Tattapani-Mendhar.

The Hurriyat chairman said the amalgam was satisfied with the ongoing peace process and, if India and Pakistan keep moving in the same direction, a lasting solution to Kashmir issue was not very far.

Welcoming all Kashmir-centric confidence-building measures like ceasefire along LoC, Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service, talks between India and Pakistan and Centre and Hurriyat, he said the ceasefire should be made a permanent feature.

"I am of the opinion that formalities related to travel documents should be made easy. Both India and Pakistan should review the formalities set for crossing these points," the Hurriyat chairman said.

He said in the first phase, preference should be given to divided families so that they can share each other's grief and sorrow and in the second phase, relief workers should be allowed to go. The Hurriyat leader said if Id falls on the coming Friday, the amalgam leaders will offer prayers at Uri to express solidarity with the affected people.

Mirwaiz condemned the Delhi blasts, saying carrying out such attacks in the name of politics is not acceptable. "Such acts only prove detrimental to the 'freedom movement'," he said.

On the transfer of power from People's Democratic Party, led by Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, to Congress, headed by Ghulam Nabi Azad in the state, Mirwaiz said, "It does not affect us as it is their internal arrangement."

However, the Hurriyat chairman said if any step is taken by any government, be it at the state level or at Centre, which leads to resolution of Kashmir issue, we welcome it.

Chief Minister-designate Azad said on Sunday that he will seek cooperation of those who are outside the coalition, outside legislature and have not contested elections due to some reasons.